New FF - Smile of Time - Thread 1 - Link for Thread 2 in Index - Page 90

what a fantastic story .you are a prolific writer.of late i have never come across such a beautiful,humorous story .it is a well thought planned story .the dialogues are great.the concept of the story of the four brothers each with a different ideology and views. i read all the chapters in one go.

All ok??? Please leave a mss dear

oh... what happened...

i thought i will be getting atleast 5 updates to read ( i had exams ...so was keeping myself away from IF )

hey are you fine...

hope u will be giving us an update...

waiting,...

Are you well ? Why aren't you updating ?

Please do leave a note .

Hi

Hope u r fine.

We all waiting for ur story. Please do continue.

Hope u have not abandoned ur story n us, the ever waiting readers..

Please update soon

Hello Friends,

My sincere apologies for not updating for so long. I had a family emergency that did not give me the mood to update.

To compensate, I have three updates today. Please note, I have not proof read these. Forgive me if you find any errors .

Thanks to all you readers who have been so patiently waiting for updates. I am deeply grateful for your support.

I promise not to abandon or leave this incomplete. Just expect some delays as I am going through some rough times. But I will try to give bulk updates as today.

Enjoy Chapters 49, 50 and 51

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, businesses, places, events, locales and incidents are either products of author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead or actual events in purely coincidental.

Some of the character names are taken from the star plus TV show IPKKND.

[MEMBERS ONLY]

Chapter 49

Arnav cleared his throat to make sure he put it the best way that she doesn’t get funny ideas.

“I told bua that Akash loves Payal. Because of her stubbornness,if he does not get married in future and Payal gets married to the other guy,he will never talk to bua. It is a chain reaction. If the family gets to know,Raj uncle will never forgive her for being stupidly stubborn. Stupid girls who my bua prefers, are unpredictable.”

“That doesn’t make sense. Why would she like stupid ones to be her bahu? No mother will want that.”

He sighed and said

“I am going to tell you a part of it but you keep your mouth shut. No one should know including Payal.”

Khushi frowned and nodded.

“One thing is status and money but the other and most important thing is she does not want her daughter in law or any girlfriend of Akash and Nihaal to be a smart, strong, working, established woman.”

****Couple of years back *********

Arnav and Akash were back from work to AM. They were in the study. Later Akash had to take up a conference call and stepped out. Yamini saw that Arnav was working alone in the study. She was trying to find out through Arnav if Akash or Nihaal had or have any girlfriends. When she got to know Akash liked someone when hewas in college. She probed too much about her that made Arnav uncomfortable.

“Bua,I am surprised. You are probing?”

“As long as they get a girl who is fashionable and from a wealthy family who is not working I am fine. I don’t want her to be working or in some profession.”

Arnav was staring at her, confused.

Yamini smiled and said “I never took a career seriously. I could have had the best career. I had a great degree in architecture and best grades. My father, your Dadaji even asked me about my career. Then I did not care. I just wanted to enjoy my life and I did. In recent times, I am finding many women of my age trying to work not for money but to create an identity of their own even when they are 60. On further inquiry, I found that though a few of them genuinely want to work, most of them are just doing it so that for status. They see their son’s girlfriends are very independent and they are dominating the boys."

"Money does not factor in as having an upper hand when you have brains, a career and your husband has the money. My friends feel inferior when they talk to their bahus or the boys’ girlfriends. I don’t want to face that. I will nip it in the bud. I don’t want a career woman as my bahu. Period.”

Arnavl ooked at her gaping widely. Did he zone out for some time? What was his bua telling him? Was she that insecure? Did she always want to be the boss in her home? Ridiculous.

Though then Arnav felt it was stupid, now it is becoming a problem.

--*****

He felt it was not right to tell that to Khushi. He would not let down anyone related to him in the eyes of others “That is the only part I can say Khushi. Don’t ask me more than this.”

“Fine. That is ridiculous.”

“Ok I guess I have answered everything. Let’s go…” He turned to go only to feel his shirt being pulled from behind.

He turned to see her grinning widely.

“Oooooh Arnie, do you realize what this means? Akash sir will be my jeeju. You and Payal jiji will be related. Wow. But I tell you if that aunty did not withdraw the alliance, this could not have happened. Thanks to Devi maiyya.”

“Who? Oh ok.”

“It is no less than a miracle Arnie.” She sent a silent prayer looking at the sky.

“That’s strategy not a miracle. I see and make such strategies every day in one form or another.”

She frowned “What are you…????” She gave a big gasp.

“Oh my goodness! Arnie, are you responsible for Aniketji’sj ob in Australia?”

“Of course. I am surprised you didn’t realize it sooner. I don’t want my brother to lose to some random guy. This was a two-sided affair with only one obstacle. The man had to get a good life yet not interfere. His new job is much bigger than what he can imagine and he is qualified for it. Some strings but no favoritism. He will get any girl later in life.”

Khushi giggled. How did she not catch it! “I hope you didn’t do anything for the horoscope matching. It came to be an almost perfect match.”

“That is a trashy thing that I don’t need to waste my time on. Even if it was not perfect, no one could have stopped this proposal.”

“I am so happy. I spoke to Anjali. Seems Kavitha aunty told her and Shyam sir. I think they would have called Akash sir to wish him.”

“That might take some time. They can get hold of Akash only after he finishes the call with Payal, which does not seem to end that soon.”

Khushi had seen Payal sitting on the balcony and talking to Akash filled with giggles and shyness earlier that night.

“Ohhh that’s who jiji was talking to all those days. Arnie,my jiji did not even tell me she liked Akash sir.” Khushi’s face fell.

Arnav knew how much Khushi adored Payal, though they were technically best friends, she was like an elder sister to Khushi. He had to handle it in a way she does not get angry or blow at Payal.

“Listen, don’t torture Payal for not telling you or othersat home first about Akash. You better support her.”

“Huh! you are already taking her side now.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

Arnav rolled his eyes and smiled. He dropped a chirpy Khushi to her house. This was the first time he watched her climb the pipe to her room. Shocked, he got off the car and stood with hands on hips and saw her enter her room and wave at him happily. He rolled his eyes and chuckled. He saw Jeetu who was on a motorbike grinning. As he drove he recollected the events of the day. After a very very long time, he realized he had actually not thought about his past since he began to talk to Khushi.

--========================================

Except Yamini, everyone was very happy. They had decided tokeep the matter under wraps till they wanted to formally announce the engagement after the engagement. Akash was also happy that she need not worry about her job. Payal was very clear that she had to be treated like any other employee. She had worked very hard to prove herself in her career.

Akash and Payal’s engagement date was set two months later as the Agarwals needed time to plan for their first big event in their family.They had decided to keep it within their closest friends and family. The new couple could not be away from their phones after working hours. But as Arnav instructed both, their work should never get affected and they should set an example tothe rest of the staff. Arnav decided to inform one person only as that would be hard to handle later.

--========================

“What the heck? Why are you all eyeing girls from my team?What did I ever do? Did I do something to you all? Look if you have a grudge. I am sorry.”

Arnav was masking his smile by pressing his fingers on his lips. He had expected this.

“It is a win-win Aman. You are not losing her at all. She will still be here.” Akash looked at an angry Aman.

“Aman, this is not like Shyam and Anjali’s case. So, relax.”

“You know you guys are setting a bad example. Everyone in AR will become couples and will start taking vacations. Two at a time. “

“Aman, listen. We both are professionals whatever our personal equation is. We have decided that will not affect anything professionally. She will still report to Rishit. She must be treated like any other employee. No favoritism. Once the engagement is done, everyone will obviously know. You have to let the staff know that nothing changes. She is going to be working towards the growth of the company. She has nothing to gain but lot to lose. I also think people will start working hard. There may be a couple of problems but I think we will cross the bridge when we come to it. Support her that no one shuns her.”

It was over a week since they met. It irked Arnav that Khushi did not have any time for them. But they sure did speak. Well, she spoke especially when she had to update Arnav about every little detail happening there. She was helping her mom and Vinutha arrange things. Payal was totally excused by everyone as she was the bride.

A pooja was organized by Yashoda in RM as the bride-to-be could not step into her in-laws place before the wedding. All four families had come together and no other extended relatives or friends were invited. They wanted to strictly keep it within themselves. Yashoda had requested Vinutha to get sweets made by Payal for prashad.

--=============

The day of the pooja

What love could do to a person was quite evident in Akash’s case. He got ready early and pounded on everyone’s doors in both the houses to get ready soon. Yashoda was usually ready by 6 daily. She was shocked to see him in a gold silk kurta knocking her door. He sat in her room quite irritated.

“Nani, the others are not yet ready. I can’t believe Mami of all people is taking so much of time. She is the simplest.”

“Akash, beta, the pooja is at 10 am. It is 8 now. YOU are early. Everyone will be down on time. Why don’t you check if Payal is ready?Hmm chalo.”

That was enough to engage Akash for a while. Yashoda and Kavitha were giggling at Akash’s behavior.

All the elders had left for RM with Preethi. Payal and Khushi started late with the sweets for the pooja. Akash was standing near thedoor waiting for her.

Nihaal whispered to Arnav who was also watching a desperate Akash walking around looking at the gate.

“Bhai, I don’t believe it. I am looking at this scene but I still don’t believe it. He is wearing a kurta even though Nani did not tell him to. He is driving everyone mad. I am just hoping Payal comes soon.”

Arnav couldn’t agree more. Everyone in the family were snickering looking at Akash who looked lovesick and restless to see Payal.

Payal and Khushi came in the car that Yashoda had sent to pick them. A couple of house helps came forward to pick the bags and boxes.

They had kept the pooja in RM as before the wedding the bride usually does not come to the groom’s house.

Yashoda and Kavitha welcomed her with Akash standing next to them. Except Arnav, the families sat for the pooja. Khushi saw Arnav sitting with his laptop near the living room. She frowned at him and slowly texted him. Nihaal was sitting next to Akash teasing him. Yashoda and Kavitha did not askArnav to join as they knew his reply.

“Arnie,this pooja is for jiji and jeeju’s well being. You are with your laptop? Take a break till the pooja is done at least.”

“You believe in these things. I don’t. Akash and Nihaal are just sitting for Payal’s sake. “

“And you can sit for Jeeju’s sake.”

“No.”

:P

Arnav chuckled looking at her emoji and looked at her angry face and continued working sitting a little away from the pooja place.

The families had lunch together. It was a noisy and fun affair for everyone. Yashoda took charge of the engagement preparations on behalf of Yamini. Raj knew it and helped her. Raj liked Payal a lot. She was exactly what Akash needed. A smart, responsible, simple and sweet girl. It was not a surprise that Akash fell in love with her.

--====================================

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